Zaldy Co’s 18 ‘bagmen’ stand firm on claims

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June 9, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Despite their flip-flopping accusations, the 18 alleged bagmen of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co yesterday stood by their claims that Senators Mark Villar and Francis Escudero, as well as Rep. Leila de Lima, received suitcases filled with dirty money.

Instead of facing scrutiny before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, the 18 men held a press conference at Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s office.

Although they are “willing and not scared” to face the Senate, their lawyer Levito Baligod said his clients are worried since the panel is chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, whom they implicated in the kickback scheme.

Tulfo, they believe, would accuse them of “testifying falsely” and cite them in contempt “and punish and detain us.”

The 18 men, whose rehashed statements have been criticized for inaccuracies, earlier retracted their accusations against Sen. Loren Legarda, saying her inclusion was a mistake.

Baligod had admitted to an “error” over the inclusion of De Lima, who has denied the allegations.

At the press conference, Baligod said the 18 men did not bring up the alleged deliveries to Villar and Escudero since senators did not ask them about it during the June 4 hearing.

“In 2022, we delivered seven medium-sized suitcases to Villar’s residence in Portofino South, Daanghari, Las Piñas,” Baligod said, reading his clients’ affidavit.

Photos of Escudero’s house were provided as evidence by the 18 men, Baligod said.

The 18 men appeared before the Department of Justice for the continuation of the preliminary investigation into the complaints filed against them.

Baligod said the ombudsman has reached out to him about upcoming hearings related to their affidavits.

Estrada slams Senate leadership

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is detained at the New Quezon City Jail, has joined Senate employees in condemning the leadership struggle and the alleged threats they received.

Without mentioning incidents that prompted him to issue a statement, Estrada appealed for self-restraint and the avoidance of uttering foul language against Senate employees.

At a recent Blue Ribbon committee hearing, Tulfo warned he would have Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and anyone from his faction – even its employees – arrested by the Senate sergeant-at-arms.

Last week’s so-called hearing by Cayetano’s group featured the 18 men, who implicated Tulfo and Sen. Vicente Sotto III. — Ghio Ong